Portable exercising device

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a portable exercising device for arms. The portable exercising device comprising an elongated first frame, the first frame having a proximal end and a distal end; an elongated second frame, the second frame having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the first frame pivotally coupled to the proximal end of the second frame; a first armband coupled to the first frame, the first armband configured to be worn in an arm; a second armband coupled to the second frame, the second armband configured to be worn in a forearm; a resistance member extending from the first frame to the second frame, the resisting member configured to resist the pivotal motion of the first frame towards the second frame. The resistance produced by the resistance member is transferred to the muscles, thus exercising the arm.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a portable exercising device and in particular relates to a device for exercising arms of a human.

BACKGROUND

Dumbbells are free weights comprising a bar with weights on opposite ends thereof. These are the most commonly used exercising device for arms. The weight of the dumbbells can be varied based on the requirements of the exerciser. For example, heavyweights are used for muscle development by athletes. And lightweights can be used by patients having restricted use of some portion of their musculature and who require some form of conditioning therapy to restore their muscle strength. Medium weights are preferred for daily workout. In general, a person starts exercising with lightweight dumbbells and stepwise increases the weight, thus stepwise increasing the resistance to the muscles.

Although the dumbbells are commonly used for exercising, they have several disadvantages. These include the risk of injury while exercising with the dumbbells. For example, while exercising, the dumbbells may accidentally slip from the hand and cause injury to the exerciser or a person nearby. Dumbbells are free weights, so the exerciser, in lack of proper guidance, may exercise wrongly. Besides the risk of injury, the dumbbells are heavy, cumbersome to store, and costly. In addition, for variable resistance, the exerciser has to maintain several sets of dumbbells which lead to increased cost and storage problems.

Thus, a need is appreciated for an improved exercising device for arms that is devoid of one or more of the above-identified problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, a principal objective of the present invention to provide a portable exercising device for arms.

An additional objective of the present invention is that the exercising device is light in weight.

Another objective of the present invention is that the exercising device provides support to the arm while exercising.

Still another objective of the present invention is that the exercising device is easy to store.

A further objective of the present invention is that the exercising device allows adjusting the resistance.

Yet another objective of the present invention is that the exercising device is easy to use and economical to manufacture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, which are incorporated herein, form part of the specification and illustrate embodiments of the present invention. Together with the description, the figures further serve to explain the principles of the present invention and to enable a person skilled in the relevant arts to make and use the invention.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the present invention which is a portable exercising device for arms.

FIG. 2 shows bottom view of the portable exercising device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows the portable exercising device of FIG. 1 worn over an arm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a portable exercising device for arms that is easy to use and allows adjusting the resistance by the exerciser.

Subject matter will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. Subject matter may, however, be embodied in a variety of different forms and, therefore, covered or claimed subject matter is intended to be construed as not being limited to any exemplary embodiments set forth herein; exemplary embodiments are provided merely to be illustrative. Likewise, a reasonably broad scope for claimed or covered subject matter is intended. Among other things, for example, the subject matter may be embodied as methods, devices, components, or systems. The following detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be taken in a limiting sense.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Likewise, the term “embodiments of the present invention” does not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of embodiments of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising,”, “includes” and/or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Now referring to FIG. 1 which shows an exemplary embodiment of the portable exercising device according to the present invention. The portable exercising device includes an elongated first frame 1 and an elongated second frame 2. The first frame 1 having a proximal end and a distal end. Similarly, the second frame 2 is having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the first frame 1 and the proximal end of the second frame 2 are pivotally coupled to form a pivot joint 3. The first frame 1 and the second frame 2 can pivot along the pivot joint 3 in a pivot plane. The pivot joint 3 can be configured in one of the many ways obvious to a skilled person for making a pivot joint between two elongated rigid members. In FIG. 1, the proximal end of the first frame 1 is configured to have two parallel flanges and a space between the parallel flanges. An aperture is made through the upper and lower flange for receiving a rivet. The proximal end of the second frame 2 is configured to have a single flange which is shaped to be slidably received in the space between the parallel flanges of the first frame 1. The single flange is also having an aperture corresponding to the apertures in the parallel flanges, such as when the single flange is received between the parallel flanges, the single flange is held by a rivet passing through the apertures. This allows the first frame 1 to pivot relative to the second frame 2 in the pivot plane. The pivot plane here refers to the plane in which the two frames move relative to each other. In one case, the movement of the first frame 1 relative to the second frame 2 can be restricted to a predetermined range of angles, for example, the movement of the first frame 1 relative to the second frame 2 can be limited to 180 degrees.

The pivot joint 3 can be lubricated to decrease the friction between the parallel flanges of the first frame 1 and the single flange of the second frame 2. Different ways of lubrication are obvious to a skilled person for lubricating a pivot joint. In addition to lubrication, bearings can also be used. Or any other mechanism providing smooth movement of two elongated members along a pivot joint can be deployed in the present invention.

Further shown in FIG. 1 & FIG. 2 are a pair of armbands 3 & 4 disposed on the two frames 1 & 2. The armband 4 is disposed on the first frame 1, and the armband 5 is disposed on the second frame 2. The armbands may be disposed over the frames using any suitable mechanism obvious to a skilled person for coupling an armband to a rigid frame. For example, the armbands could be coupled to the frames using screws. The position of the armbands over the frames could be optimized. In an exemplary embodiment, the frames are configured to removably couple the armbands. Moreover, a provision of adjusting the position of the armband over the frame could also be provided. For example, suitable coupling members for coupling the armband to the frame could be provided at spaced intervals over the frame, the exerciser depending upon his requirement adjust the desired position of armband over the frame.

The armbands are shaped to be worn in an arm of an exerciser, the armband 4 is worn over an arm of the exerciser and the armband 5 is worn over a forearm of the exerciser. The armband shown in FIG. 1 is a strap having mechanical fasteners to tighten the armband over the arm. The mechanical fastener could be a hook and loop fastener, such as Velcro. The armbands could be made of any sturdy material, such as nylon. Cushioning could also be provided in the underside of the armbands, to make them more comfortable to the exerciser. The armbands 4 & 5 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are coupled perpendicularly to the pivot plane, i.e. perpendicularly to the direction of pivoting of the first frame 1 relative to the second frame 2.

Further shown in FIG. 1 is a resistance member 6 extending from the first frame 1 to the second frame 2. The resistance member 6 is an air-filled hydraulic cylinder with a resistance adjustment member to adjust the resistance. The resistance member 6 comprises a sealed cylindrical body 7 having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to an air release valve 9. The second end of the sealed cylindrical body 7 having an opening with a seal for permitting sliding of a plunger 8 there through. The plunger 8 reciprocates within the sealed cylindrical body 7 filled with the air. The filled air resists the movement of the plunger 8 towards the second end of the sealed cylindrical body 7. The resistance adjustment member 9 is configured to increase or decrease the volume of filled air in the sealed cylindrical body 7, thus increasing or decreasing the resistance accordingly. In the embodiment, air has been described for use in the cylindrical body, it is obvious that any other fluid known in the art for providing resistance to the movement of a plunger within a cylindrical body can be used for the present invention.

The sealed cylindrical body 7 is rotatably coupled to the first frame 1 and the plunger 8 is rotatably coupled to the second frame 2. The air release valve 9 is coupled to the cylindrical body 7 for adjusting the resistance. It is to be noted that although in FIG. 1 sealed cylindrical body 7 is rotatably coupled to the first frame 1 and the plunger 8 is rotatably coupled to the second frame 2, the sealed cylindrical body 7 can also be coupled to the second frame 2 and the plunger 8 to the first frame 1. Also in FIG. 1 is shown air release valve 9, it is obvious that any other resistance adjustment member known to a skilled person for adjusting the resistance of a hydraulic cylinder could be used for the present invention.

Further, FIG. 1 shows a bar 10 coupled to the distal end of the frame 2. The bar 10 is shaped to be grasped with the hand of the exerciser. The purpose of the bar 10 is to provide more stability to the portable exercising device while exercising. Cushioning grips could be provided over the bar 10 for comfort and increased gripping ability. In an exemplary embodiment, the bar 10 can be slidably coupled to the frame 2, for example, the FIGS. 1 and 2 shows an elongated slot 11 and the bar is mounted in the slot 11 such that the bar 10 could move along the length of the slot 11. The adjustable bar is advantageous, as the exercising device could be easily adjusted according to the length of an arm of exerciser. The bar 10 could either freely slide along the length of the slot 11 or the bar 10 could be fixed at the desired position over the slot 11. In one case, to fix the bar 10 at the desired position, the bar 10 could be mounted using a screw, and the screw could be tightened at the desired position over the slot 11.

FIG. 3 shows the portable exercising device worn over a right arm 12, wherein the arm 12 is half flexed. The armband 4 is coupled to the first frame 4 and the armband 5 coupled to the second frame 2. The armband 4 is worn over the arm and the armband 5 is worn over the forearm. The bar 10 is comfortably grasped with the hand. The exercising device is positioned over the side of the arm. To use the device, exerciser moves the arm in bidirectional i.e. extends and flexes the arm. As the arm is flexed, i.e. the forearm is moved towards the upper arm, the first frame 1 moves relative to the second frame 2 at the pivot joint 3. Pivoting of the frames causes the plunger 8 to move into the sealed cylindrical body 7 against the resistance of the filled air. The resistance faced by the plunger 8 in moving into the sealed cylindrical body 7 is transferred to the muscles of the arm.

The above advantages and features are of representative embodiments only and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. They are presented only to assist in understanding the invention. It should be understood that they are not representative of all the possible embodiments of the invention, and are not to be considered limitations on the invention, which will be defined by the claims of any resulting patent, and are not to be considered limitations on equivalents to the claims. For instance, some of these advantages may be mutually contradictory, in that they cannot be simultaneously present in a single embodiment. Similarly, some advantages are applicable to one aspect of the invention and inapplicable to others. Furthermore, certain aspects of the claimed invention have not been discussed herein. However, no inference should be drawn regarding those discussed herein relative to those not discussed herein other than for purposes of space and reducing repetition. Additionally, terms are to be understood with reference to the subject matter.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above-described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable exercising device comprising: an elongated first frame, the first frame having a proximal end and a distal end; an elongated second frame, the second frame having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the first frame pivotally coupled to the proximal end of the second frame; a first armband coupled to the first frame, the first armband configured to be worn over an arm; a second armband coupled to the second frame, the second armband configured to be worn over a forearm; a resistance member extending from the first frame to the second frame, the resisting member configured to resist the pivotal motion of the first frame relative to the second frame.
 2. The portable exercising device of claim 1, wherein the portable exercising device further comprises a bar, the bar shaped to be grasped with a hand, the bar disposed on the distal end of the second frame.
 3. The portable exercising device of claim 2, wherein the bar is slidably coupled to the second frame.
 4. The portable exercising device of claim 3, wherein the second frame comprise a slot and the bar is slidably mounted in the slot.
 5. The portable exercising device of claim 1, wherein the resistance member comprises: a sealed cylindrical body having a fluid therein; and a plunger sealably received in the sealed cylindrical body, the plunger configured to reciprocate within the sealed cylindrical body.
 6. The portable exercising device of claim 5, wherein the fluid is air.
 7. The portable exercising device of claim 5, wherein the sealed cylindrical body is rotatably coupled to the first frame and the plunger is rotatably coupled to the second frame.
 8. The portable exercising device of claim 5, wherein the sealed cylindrical body is rotatably coupled to the second frame and the plunger is rotatably coupled to the first frame.
 9. The portable exercising device of claim 5, wherein the resistance member further comprises a resistance adjustment member, the resistance adjustment member is sealably coupled to the sealed cylindrical body.
 10. The portable exercising device of claim 5, wherein the resistance member is an air release valve.
 11. The portable exercising device of claim 1, wherein the first armband and the second armband comprises a strap and a fastener.
 12. The portable exercising device of claim 11, wherein the strap is made of nylon.
 13. The portable exercising device of claim 11, wherein the fastener is a hook and loop fastener.
 14. The portable exercising device of claim 11, wherein the first armband and the second armband are coupled to the first frame and the second frame perpendicularly to the direction of moving of the first frame relative to the second frame. 